YEREVAN. – The opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) candidate for parliament seat, Nikol Pashinyan, who is also the Editor-in-Chief of Armenian Times newspaper, was not allowed to enter Armnews and debate with ruling Republican MP Ruben Hayrapetyan.

At the appointed time, 9.50 p.m. Nikol Pashinyan was near the TV station but the security guard did not let him enter the building.

According to Pashinyan, Ruben Hayrapetyan himself invited an ANC member to a debate, letting ANC to choose the format. The statement that the sides were not able to come upon an agreement on the format is not true.

“At the last moment he got scared and refused to debate. He was afraid they would lose,” Pashinyan mentioned.

Eight political parties and one block have presented their nominations – Republican Party of Armenian, Prosperous Armenia Party, Orinats Yerkir, opposition Armenian National Congress, opposition Heritage Party, ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Communist Party of Armenia, Democratic Party of Armenia and United Armenians Party.

For entering the National Assembly, parties must poll over 5% of votes, while blocks - over 7%.

The election campaign will be held till May 5 - the day prior to elections when campaigning is banned. The parliamentary elections will be held from 8 am to 8 pm on May 6, 2012.